ESPE Abstracts

Background: The prevalence of obesity in childhood has increased dramatically during the last decades. Dyslipidemia, hypertension and insulin resistance – all components of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and well-known cardiometabolic risk factors – predispose to the development of inflammation and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in childhood.Aim: To determine “non- traditional” card...

Introduction: Germline mutations in Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene (chromosome 10q23) lead to PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS), which includes Cowden syndrome. PTEN encodes a tumor suppressor protein that is a negative regulator of PI3K – Akt signaling pathway, taking part in multiple biological processes, including cellular cycle and regulation of metabolism.Materials and Methods:...

Background: Endocrine disorders associated with tall stature in childhood are frequently evaluated by Pediatric Endocrinologists. The most common non-endocrine genetic cause of tall stature, Marfan syndrome, is a rare autosomal dominant genetic condition of the connective tissue, which presents with specific dysmorphic features, including thin physique, long extremities and normal growth rate. Little is known regarding the association of Marfan syndrome with o...

Background: Obesity in childhood and adolescence represents a major health problem of our century. In Greece, more than 30-35% of children and adolescents are currently overweight or obese.Objective: To evaluate and further develop the 'National Registry for the Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence' in order to provide personalized intervention programs for overweig...

Introduction: Primary Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance or Chrousos syndrome (CS) is a rare sporadic or familial disorder characterized by generalized, partial tissue insensitivity to glucocorticoids. Mutations of the NR3C1 gene, which encodes the human glucocorticoid receptor, have been identified in many but not all patients with CS.Objective: To identify novel genes related to CS in patients without NR3C1 gene mutations.<p cl...

Background: ACTH-independent adrenal Cushing’s syndrome accounts for less than 15% of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome in children. We present a rare case of ACTH-independent adrenal Cushing’s syndrome, which was associated with myoclonic dystonia.Case presentation: A 12-year old girl was referred on account of rapid weight gain, fatigue, growth deceleration and facial hypertrichosis. She had a history of gait instability and ataxia till the ...

Background: The nuclear receptor (NR) family comprises three main subfamilies: the steroid hormones receptors, the thyroid/retinoid hormone receptors and the orphan receptors. Proteins within the NR family share common domain architecture. These closely related receptors and their cognate ligand compounds play a key role in homeostasis, reproduction, growth and development. Despite their biological significance, their evolution and diversification remains to be elucidated....

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine genetic disorder, which is associated with increased metabolic and cardiovascular morbidity. Vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acids supplementation may alleviate the metabolic and reproductive complications of PCOS.Objective and hypotheses: To compare clinical, psychometric, biochemical, endocrine, bone and sonographic markers in vitamin D sufficient adolescents with PCOS, pre- and post- 6 mon...

Background: Obesity in adulthood is associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length, a marker of biological age that is also associated with age-related disorders, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Objective and Hypotheses: To investigate the relation between BMI in childhood and adolescence and telomere length, by determining the mean telomere length of leukocytes.Patients and Method: Seven hundred fo...

Background: Primary generalized glucocorticoid resistance (PGGR) or Chrousos syndrome is a rare familial or sporadic condition caused by mutations in the hGR gene, which reduce tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids. A new case of PGGR caused by a novel heterozygous point mutation in the hGR gene, which resulted in threonine (T) to isoleucine (I) substitution at amino acid position 556 in the ligand-binding domain of the receptor, was recently reported in a patient with an adre...